Ruben’s Woodcraft and Toys offers handmade creations and vintage finds for all ages
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — A Boulder City toy shop brings together childhood nostalgia and handcrafted creations for visitors of all ages.
Ruben’s Woodcraft and Toys features a range of toys from major brands to lesser-known items.
“We have Barbies, of course,” said Ruben Valdez.
The shop also carries products from smaller manufacturers.
“This is a 2 Bows Bros stuff. These are two brothers that got in trouble and they make their own toys,” Valdez said.
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Vintage classics and handmade items
Vintage items are part of the collection.
“We have Boy George up there. We just love Boy George,” Valdez said.
The shop also features handmade wooden toys.
“I’m young at heart. I’m old on the outside, but young on the inside. Wood toys are a passion. I think to myself, what kid doesn’t like toys?” Valdez said.
Valdez learned the craft from his father, who made wooden toys after retiring. Valdez was the youngest of eight children, and his father was 40 when he was born.
“It was a hobby. My dad, he always made toys. I was the youngest of eight kids and my dad had already retired by the time I was born. He had me when he was 40, but he made wood toys. So then I always tagged along with him and I learned how to make wood toys,” Valdez said.
Family business draws repeat visitors
Valdez, a retired mechanical engineer, opened the shop almost 14 years ago. He works alongside his wife, Dixie.
“Everything is expensive these days and we want people to be able to come and have a good time, enjoy their families without it hurting their pocketbook so much,” Dixie Valdez said.
The shop attracts returning customers.
“We have people that come back year after year when they come on vacation, or we have tourists who come through and then they’ll come through once and the next year when they come back, they come through again,” Dixie Valdez said.
Before opening the toy shop, Ruben Valdez worked on projects in the area.
“We did both wind towers. So that was great. Then the theaters, all the theaters in town we worked on. That’s a really neat thing to do. The Bellagio was another great job. And all the fountains and all the piping and pumps that make that thing work. It was great,” Ruben Valdez said.
Creating memories through play
The shop offers opportunities for children to create their own toys.
“I really like it because it’s fun and you can play here and when you paint you can design it. It’s not like you don’t have to follow any instructions. You paint it how you want to,” said Emery Ackermann.
Ruben Valdez said creating positive memories is part of the shop’s purpose.
“You have to create a memory for them to have as they grow older. We had a young man come in the other day to did a Derby car and he’s 22 years old and I recognized him and he just said he came in because he remembered us and it was a fond memory for him,” Valdez said.
“Stay young inside. Nothing out there but a house payment, gas bill, you know, stay young as long as you can,” Valdez said.
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